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. 2008 Mar 30;14(1):49-58.
doi: 10.1177/159101990801400107. Epub 2008 May 12.

Vascular microanatomy of the pontomedullary junction, posterior inferior cerebellar arteries, and the lateral spinal arteries

P H Mercier  1 , G Brassier, H D Fournier, J Picquet, X Papon, P Lasjaunias
Affiliations

Vascular microanatomy of the pontomedullary junction, posterior inferior cerebellar arteries, and the lateral spinal arteries

P H Mercier et al. Interv Neuroradiol. .

Abstract

This study of 25 brains at the pontomedullary junction defined the different possible origins of the perforating arteries and lateral spinal arteries in relation to the posterior inferior cerebellar arteries (PICAs). - If the PICA emerges from the common trunk of the AICA-PICA coming from the basilar artery, it never gives perforating arteries or a lateral spinal artery on the lateral surface of the brain stem but supplies blood to a part of the ipsilateral cerebellar hemisphere. - If the PICA arises extradurally at C1, it never gives perforating arteries for the lateral surface of the brain stem, but it gives pial branches for the posterior surface of the medulla oblongata and is always the origin of the lateral spinal artery. - If the PICA emerges in the intradural vertebral artery, it is the source of the perforating arteries for the lateral surface of the brain stem and of the blood supply of the ipsilateral cerebellum.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Anterior view showing the three possibilities of PICA emergence; right, emergence of the vertebral artery; left, emergence of the basilar artery by the AICA-PICA common trunk and extradural emergence at C1.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Right lateral view showing the caudal loop of the PICA. No perforating arteries emerge from the vertebral artery under the PICA’s emergence.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Left lateral view. The PICA arises from an AICA-PICA common trunk. The perforating arteries for the olive and the lateral spinal artery emerge from the vertebral artery.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Left lateral view showing a C1-PICA from which arises the lateral spinal artery.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Posterior view showing an example of bilateral C1-PICA with their long course in the cerebellomedullary cistern; note the emergence of the lateral spinal arteries from the two PICAs, left and right.
Figure 6
Figure 6
Right lateral view showing a pial anastomosis at the surface of the olive between the PICA branches and the branches of the superior cerebellar artery arising from the basilar artery.
Figure 7
Figure 7
Anterior view showing a large-caliber anastomosis between a hypoplastic vertebral artery (black pin) and a C1-PICA.
Figure 8
Figure 8
Posterior view showing the blood supply of the posterior surface of the pontomedullary junction; right, the pial branches emerge from the PICA; left, the blood supply comes from the lateral spinal artery.
Figure 9
Figure 9
Posterior view showing a C1-PICA giving the lateral spinal artery and the pial branches for the posterior surface of the medulla oblongata.
Figure 10
Figure 10
A,B,C,D) Diagram showing the different possibilities of the emerging PICA (redrawn with modifications after 7).
Figure 10
Figure 10
A,B,C,D) Diagram showing the different possibilities of the emerging PICA (redrawn with modifications after 7).
Figure 10
Figure 10
A,B,C,D) Diagram showing the different possibilities of the emerging PICA (redrawn with modifications after 7).
Figure 10
Figure 10
A,B,C,D) Diagram showing the different possibilities of the emerging PICA (redrawn with modifications after 7).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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